Small Bites [Hardcover]

Jennifer Joyce (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 19, 2005

Celebrating the delights of tapas, sushi, dim sum, antipasti, and many other finger foods from around the world, this no-fuss cookbook is packed with ideas for small, healthy, and delectable dishes that are perfect for chic but informal meals, snacks, picnics, or eating on the go.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Sometimes a party calls for chips, dip and beer; but sometimes the occasion demands carefully arranged Bresaola and Pear Rolls alongside pitchers of Blood Orange Campari Soda. For the latter, this short collection of party foods (or "small bites") offers dozens of intriguing ideas. Sicilian Artichoke Bottoms with Provolone and Capers zing with the brightness of lemon and mint, while Crispy Chorizo Quesadillas with Guacamole are deliciously gooey, a perfect foil for cocktails. Although most of the recipes in this volume are glamorous, they are written carefully enough for even a novice party host to follow. For instance, the subtle Chocolate Frangelico Pudding with Hazelnuts is perfect for a Valentine's Day feast, and requires approximately ten minutes of foolproof work. Cardamom-Poached Apricots with Mascarpone and Pistachios demands just a bit more time, while lending a delicious Mideastern flair to a summer gathering. Best of all, the author knows that even hosts with the best intentions can run out of time before a party, so she offers a reassuring list of "buy and arrange ideas" such as Marinated Anchovies and Pan-Friend Padron Peppers. With so many appealing choices, each gorgeously photographed, this cookbook itself is an excuse to throw a party.
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About the Author

Jennifer Joyce has traveled the world in search of new ideas and recipes. For the last 10 years she has been teaching her simple-to-make dishes to Londoners and is the author of two books, The Well Dressed Salad and Diva Cooking: Unashamedly Glamorous Party Food .

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: DK ADULT (September 19, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756613477
• ISBN-13: 978-0756613471
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #59,613 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > Cookbooks, Food & Wine > Meals > Appetizers

More About the Author

Jennifer Joyce, an American food writer, stylist and chef living long-term in London has written several successful cookbooks for the US and UK markets and is a regular contributor to Olive Magazine, BBC Good Food and the Sainsbury's magazine. She runs weekly cooking classes at London's Divertimenti and Books for Cooks stores and has appeared in food TV shows in both the UK and the States. She is known for her fresh, simple, quick and easy food with vibrancy and a certain joie de vivre.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspired, approachable entertaining, August 2, 2007

By 

lynz-h "lynz-h" (Eastern MI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Small Bites (Hardcover)

I've been daunted by throwing parties for years, always embaressed to be whirling like a dirvish in my kitchen an hour after my intended start time, so caught up in food-making that I miss out on my own soiree.
BUT THIS BOOK ROCKS--
to me, the most invaluble part is the suggested menus for themed culinary soirees. The author breaks down what can be prepared days, hours, minutes in advance which meant that, despite having a full work week and only an hour to prepare, I was able to throw together an impressive spread. while the gorgeous photographs make the appetizers look daunting, everything I prepared was simple enough, especially since I was doing it over the course of a handful of days and had time to clean up. And it was so good!

my complaints: the authors don't always explain what's what so well. so, while I was intrigued by the carrot escuchebe suggested as part of a fiesta themed menu, I had no idea what it was to be served with. also, some of the ingredients are difficult to obtain, although reasonable substitutions are suggested.

it's a nice book to use as a launch pad--you can guess where your own cheats can be (a good store-bought salsa or guacamole, for instance). and it sure makes a pretty coffee table book.

I highly recommend this for anyone who aspires to take entertaining to another level, but isn't quite ready to take on Martha Stewart.

30 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Red Curry Pumpkin Soup, October 7, 2005

By 

Rebecca Johnson "The Rebecca Review" (Washington State) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Small Bites (Hardcover)

There is a revolution going on. The formality of the dining room table is being exchanged for a more relaxed gathering around the coffee table as the new mode for entertaining. ~Jennifer Joyce

From the first page, Small Bites impresses with artistically designed culinary temptations. With minimal effort you can make soups, salads, skewers, wrapped Japanese style delicacies, sweets and even dishes of tempting vegetables.

These dishes are known as tapas, antipasti, mezze or finger food. They are perfect for a lifestyle that promotes social gatherings like book clubs or parties.

Unique selections: Fried Artichokes with Saffron Aioli, followed by an entire section on Latin Fiesta that includes classic recipes for a margarita. For the fried food recipes, you are sent to various pages of interest. Crispy Scallops can be dipped in Wasabi Mayonnaise and Ithaca Zucchini cakes are served with a dill yogurt sauce.

The soups are served in small cups or creative containers. The Red curry Pumpkin Soup is made with coconut milk, chicken stock and fresh pumpkin. Cilantro and shallots garnish the spicy garlicky soup.

The Dips chapter also contains a recipe for Mango crush and a complete menu that includes Lemongrass Beef Skewers and passion Fruit Trifle. Each chapter has a "quick" section with tips on fast foods you can make in a hurry. Roasted garlic with warm bread and Spicy peanut dip are easy to make and have just a few ingredients.

The Salads in this book look like they are straight out of a gourmet magazine. Watermelon and Feta cheese? There is a salty/sweet theme to some of the dishes.

If you love making skewers on your grill then the Citrus Swordfish Brochettes may entice you with the pomegranate dipping sauce. This chapter is filled with luxurious flavors of saffron, dried fruits, fragrant rose water, pistachios, black olives and smoked paprika. The shrimp are even dusted with Sumac. The theme is Middle Eastern Delights and each and ever page is filled with delicious satays for every taste and sauce dipping desire. Whether you are hungry for shrimp, lamb, pork or beef, there is a recipe.

By the time you get to the chapter on Meats you may be a little overwhelmed with all the ideas and rather hungry for recipes like Five-spice hoisin ribs. These are made in the oven and only take 2 hours with minimal preparation and care.

The fish chapter contains recipes for chicken breast bites. There is some mingling of ideas in each chapter and this book doesn't focus on any one food like chicken or beef. There is a good variety of every type of food you could imagine. For wrapped seafood, onward to the Wrapped, Tied and Rolled chapter which also contains ideas for rolling fruit with arugula and parmesan.

If you are thinking "parties," then look for the Wild Mushroom Crostini with Marscarpone and Sherry vinegar. Rent your favorite Bollywood movie and enjoy a spicy Indian feast complete with magenta pink tablecloths, small spice boals and scattered rose petals. The imaginative table settings add beauty to the pages filled with tons of tasty recipes. The "Rolled Zucchini Ribbons" are a stunning presentation and will catch the attention of your guests. The Artichoke Puff Pastry Bites are also easy to make because you can purchase puff pastry in sheets.

The recipes are adventurous, delicious and are made from ingredients that are easily found at your local grocery store. The Sweets chapter includes such tempting delights as chocolate cupcakes with cherry colored icing and rose petals. Is there no mercy? Chocolate Crinkle Cookies would ship well at Christmas and thinking about Figs dipped in chocolate and pistachios is making me feel a bit heady.

An entire section is dedicated to "useful" recipes - mostly sauces and dressings.

Jennifer Joyce loves to travel in search of new flavors and recipes and her book is simply stunning in beauty and overwhelming in creativity.

~The Rebecca Review

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars dinner party success, January 9, 2007

By 

Dennis Oconnor (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Small Bites (Hardcover)

I discovered this book at a friend's home and the recipes and range of dishes got us to thinking. What a fun dinner party! We decided on ten items to make and bought all of the ingredients. We invited a group of friends over and we all were involved in making the dinner. We discovered that not only were the dishes delicious, but the recipes were easy to follow. I purchased the book from Amazon and have made many dishes since then. The portions are perfect for a single guy.